Staff Roles & Bios

The Center’s staff collaborates with others to achieve a shared vision for the region based on three essential ingredients: thriving communities, healthy forests and innovative and resilient local economies.

The Center’s staff brings years of experience in regional strategy development, economic development, forestry, communications, conservation and organizing to their work.

Maura Adams, Program Director

Maura leads our modern wood heat programs at the Center. Whether it’s building local wealth in Northern Forest communities through our Model Neighborhood Wood Heat Initiative or advising on public policy to encourage the adoption of sustainable wood heat, Maura is quick to jump into assessing challenges and finding pragmatic solutions.

She is no stranger to environmental and community outreach. Most recently, she worked as Environmental Stewardship Manager at St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH, building a comprehensive sustainability program. She has also worked as a green building consultant and managed a municipal natural resource protection program for the Jordan Institute, and she coordinated a campus energy reduction program at Harvard University. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master of environmental management degree from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. It’s work hard, play hard for Maura: she loves trail running, mountain biking, hiking, cooking local foods, and reading books of all kinds. She lives in Penacook, NH with her husband Brian and little white dog, Miles, a frequent visitor to the Center office. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ellie Brown, Operations Assistant

Ellie has deep roots in the Northern Forest: she grew up in the Adirondacks, and lived and worked in Maine and the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont before moving to New Hampshire. In addition to knowing the landscape, Ellie brings a wide range of experiences and skills to her role as Operations Assistant for the Center. She spent many years as a farmer for various non-profits and schools, including the Chewonki Foundation and Sterling College. While the specific duties of farming are very different, she transfers her skills of organization, attention to detail, flexibility, creativity, and humor to this new role.

Ellie is also currently attending graduate school at Antioch University in Keene, completing a self-designed program within the Environmental Studies department titled “Rural Community Conservation.” She is excited for the synergy that exists between her schoolwork and the work she will be involved with at the Center. In her role as Operations Assistant, Ellie is looking forward to providing program and operational support wherever needed to keep things running smoothly.

When not in the office or at school, Ellie spends her time gardening, canoeing, camping, doing pottery, playing with fiber, and just generally exploring the woods near her home. She lives in Bradford with her partner Alden. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Courtney Delaney, Grants and Development Coordinator

Eager to play a role in sustaining the region’s thriving communities and forests, Courtney brings her enthusiasm for the outdoors, public policy, and sustainable business strategies to the Center as the Grants and Development Coordinator. Courtney is part of the backbone of the Center, working as part of the operations, philanthropy, and communications teams. She contributes creativity and problem-solving skills to help the Center run smoothly so we can deliver on our mission across the region.

Prior to earning her bachelor’s degree in Public Policy and Business Studies from Bentley University, Courtney developed a unique business perspective from a variety of experiences within the nonprofit and public sectors. Prior to interning at the New Hampshire Governor’s Office of Citizen Services, and the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority’s Live Free and Start state initiative, Courtney spent some time with the Foundation on Economic Trends researching emerging trends in science and technology and their impact on the environment and the economy. At the Foundation she developed an interest in exploring the intersections of business, policy, and the environment. When Courtney—a New Hampshire native—is not in the office engaging in ways to preserve the sustainability, economic vitality, and beauty of her home, she’s usually indulging her passion for the outdoors via running, hiking, camping, or fishing. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Julie Renaud Evans, Program Director

Julie has helped establish more than 11,000 acres of Community Forests across the Northern Forest. Her passion for developing local leadership in communities is reflected in the way she prepares them to establish and steward Community Forests. Julie also serves as a knowledgeable resource to the Center and partner organizations that require assistance with their forestry initiatives. She brings more than 25 years’ experience in both forestry and community development in northern New England.

Previously, Julie worked in community planning during a time when the region’s forested landscape and community’s dependence on the paper industry were beginning to change dramatically. She also taught environmental and forestry courses at White Mountains Community College. With her own business, Julie consulted for the White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and many landowner clients, including the Town of Errol as it established its 5,300-acre Community Forest. Julie earned both her M.A. in Environmental Education and B.S. in Forest Management from the University of New Hampshire. Julie lives with her family in Milan, NH. Forestry is a family affair for Julie and her husband Kevin, who have been professional foresters in the North Country for 30 years. Julie likes to read, cook, and take care of her busy teenagers! Her favorite sound in the whole world is spring peepers. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Carrie French, Director of Operations

Carrie brings a determined focus for continuously improving efficiencies and operations of the Center. She oversees the operations and financial reporting of the organization, aggressively seeks out cost controls and ensures our good standing. She brings a wealth of experience in program management and financial oversight, after spending nearly 13 years with the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund. She began as Assistant Director of the MicroCredit-NH Program, followed by many years as the Executive Coordinator for the entire organization. Carrie served the State of New Hampshire as the Assistant Director of Economic Development in the State’s Department of Resources and Economic Development.

Passionate hardly describes Carrie’s dedication to community development. She sat on the NH Main Street Program Board where she was awarded Board member of the year in 2000, and served on the Community Development Finance Authority Board on behalf of the State of New Hampshire. Also, she was the program manager for the State Tourism Joint Promotional Program. She is a graduate of Becker College and Plymouth State University and holds degrees in Retail Management and Business Administration. Carrie lives in Concord, NH and enjoys spending time with her son Kevin, their dog Cody and engaging in the many outdoor activities of the New England seasons. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Leslie Karasin, Project Manager

Leslie manages our Adirondack Model Neighborhood Wood Heat Initiative. She serves as your go-to, based in Saranac Lake, if you have questions on how to apply to the program. She coordinates program delivery and ensures a smooth and high quality wood pellet boiler installation for program participants.

Leslie draws on a variety of community outreach experiences. She worked to engage local government officials on collaborative sustainable development projects at the Wildlife Conservation Society Adirondack Program. Her ability to translate complex problems into understandable terms and her extensive land use experience positioned her to effectively manage stakeholder input processes such as Community Values Mapping and Waterfront Revitalization Efforts.

Leslie is a math whiz, has taught at a community college, and has traveled around the world examining environmental issues through a Susan Rappaport Knafel Travelling Fellowship from Wellesley College, her Alma Mater. Leslie wears many hats, which include chairing the Saranac Lake Planning Board and serving on the board of a number of community organizations. When she’s not working or serving her community, she loves to explore the Adirondacks on skis, on foot or by canoe, especially with her young children. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ailish Keating, Katahdin Project Manager

Ailish manages the Center's Millinocket Housing Initiative in Millinocket, Maine. Prior to joining the Center, Ailish worked as operations manager and director of marketing for the New England Outdoor Center. Originally from Ireland, Ailish has over 20 years of experience in real estate and hospitality. Her real estate work started with Arthur Andersen as a consultant in its Hotel Consulting Group, and after that, in mortgage-backed securities/investment banking with Nomura Securities. She has worked as a real estate broker and owned her own business. Ailish has a master’s degree in Hospitality Management from Cornell ESSEC and an undergraduate degree in Hotel Management from Shannon College of Hotel Management (SCHM). When she graduated from SCHM she received the Chuck Feeney Scholarship which awarded her full tuition to Cornell ESSEC. In Ailish's free time, she likes to run, hike, ski or paddle somewhere in the woods, waters and mountains of Northern Maine. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Lianna Lee, Communications Specialist

Lianna is a community outreach generalist now specializing in communications to deliver accessible and engaging content by thoughtfully synthesizing complex work. At the Northern Forest Center, she helps bring to life the incredible depth and breadth of our programs across digital and print platforms. She began her career in the land conservation sector with a focus on community outreach and program management. Most recently, she was the Communications and Community Programs Manager for Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust in upstate NY. Lianna’s time as Outreach Coordinator for the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust in Franconia, NH, instilled in her a deep appreciation for Community Forests and rural economies.

A desire to understand and share environmental issues has taken her from the mountains of China, where she was a research assistant, to the rain forests of Cameroon West Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Today, she serves as a founding board member with TerraCorps, an organization that places AmeriCorps members with environmental nonprofits across Massachusetts. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Mount Holyoke College. When there’s time to play, Lianna can be found paddling in her origami kayak on the Contoocook River, or driving north on I-93 to camp in her home away from home in the White Mountains. Lianna also likes to cook, climb, and help her friends and family connect with the outdoors. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Rob Riley, President

Rob Riley joined the Center in 2007 as director of programs to lead development of programs emerging from the Center’s Sustainable Economy Initiative, and assumed leadership of the Center in spring 2008. Rob has guided the Center to become the respected regional innovation and investment partner it is today, and launched the Center’s first impact-investment opportunities to support the Millinocket Housing Initiative and Lancaster Main Street Fund.

Rob led creation of the Northern Forest Board Forum and the Rural Development Innovation Group, a partnership with the Aspen Institute and the US Endowment for Forestry and Communities. He is particularly proud of the Center’s team and its ability to bring expertise and resources to help Northern Forest people and communities while advocating for the region at the national level. The New Hampshire Union Leader included Rob in its 2003 list of Forty Outstanding Leaders Under 40 in New Hampshire.

Prior to joining the Center, Rob served as director of MicroCredit-NH, an award-winning statewide community economic development program. Previously, Rob founded and served as executive director of Main Street Plymouth, Inc., which received New Hampshire’s “Main Street Program of the Year Award” in 2000. Other experience includes directing Youth Programs at Sagebrush Arena in Hailey, Idaho, and farming and logging in Andover, Vermont. Rob lives in Canterbury, NH, with his wife Tabitha and their children Alice and William. When he’s not running or skiing in the woods, Rob enjoys watching his kids take the field in numerous sports. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

David Redmond, Director of Wood Products Initiatives

Dave brings his deep experience in commercial banking and manufacturing management to the Center to lead our efforts to support the secondary wood products manufacturing industry. Dave works with companies to help position them for success in a globalized market. Dave has stood where many general managers have before, holding that position for Classic Designs by Matthew Burak, Inc. – he can relate to the challenges of company leadership and offer the right package of services.

Dave has learned over the years to ask the right questions and listen. He helped farms develop business plans with the Northeast Kingdom Dairy Viability and the Vermont Farm and Forest Viability Program. He lives in St. Johnsbury, Vermont with his wife Marie. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Joe Short, Vice President

Joe directs public policy, automated wood heat, and regional strategy initiatives at the Center and oversees core operations including finance and budget, organizational planning and management, and board support. Joe first came to the Center in 2003 as a Doris Duke Conservation Fellow, and joined the staff full-time in 2004. He has led numerous regional initiatives for the Center, including the Sustainable Economy Initiative (2006-2008), Northern Forest Investment Zone (2009-2014), and the development of the Northern Border Regional Commission’s strategic plan (2015-2016).

Earlier in his career he worked for The Nature Conservancy, first in Nebraska and then in northern California. Joe has an M.S. in Resource Ecology and Management from the University of Michigan and a BA in Biology from Carleton College. He lives in Concord, NH with his wife and two daughters, and sings bass in the Suncook Valley Chorale. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kelly Short, Communications Director

Kelly brings her writing, graphic design, and media relations acumen to the Center with nearly 30 years in nonprofit communications. She is responsible for crafting the outward brand of the Center, and directs our messaging across the Center’s marketing and communications efforts, including print and online publications, and constituent and media outreach. Two of Kelly’s favorite challenges are showcasing the Center’s impact across 4 states every year in our annual report, and ensuring that our website is engaging and informative for new audiences as well as long-time donors and partners.

Kelly has worked for the Center since it was founded, first as a consultant while also serving other regional and national nonprofits. Prior to opening her business, Kelly was communications director for the Appalachian Mountain Club. Outside of work, Kelly is dedicated to conservation. She chairs the Canterbury Conservation Commission and has served on the Board of the NH Rivers Council and the NH Advisory Committee for the Trust for Public Land. She was co-named New Hampshire Conservationist of the Year in 2005 by the Forest Society for her work on the Merrimack River Initiative. She earned a BA in communications from Boston College and lives in Canterbury, NH with her husband Steve. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Lila Trowbridge Thorne, Director of Development

Lila is all-hands-on-deck as the Director of Development and liaison to the Center’s generous supporters. A native of Peterborough, New Hampshire, she grew up with pond hockey in her bones and a fierce pride for bug season, mud season and the beautiful forests that make this place home. The Northern Forest Center’s work strikes at the heart of the issues that most intrigue Lila about this region: What are the factors that enable young people to thrive in rural towns? How do the many economic and recreational benefits of our forests contribute to strong communities? She is proud to be part of a team committed to exploring these answers.

Lila brings experience in economic development and conservation from her various roles at Forterra, a regional sustainability non-profit in Seattle, Washington. Working in major gifts, investor relations and planned giving, she helped secure social impact investments for affordable housing and launched a community campaign for the permanent conservation of a 3,000-acre forest. Her passion for learning about communities and land has pulled her all over the globe: from non-profit publishing in Seattle to running 3-month courses on sustainable agriculture in Central America, to leading backpacking trips through Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. A graduate of Clark University, Lila holds a master’s degree in International Development and Social Change. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mike Wilson, Senior Program Director

Mike serves as the backbone for program development at the Center. His wealth of experience connecting and engaging with the traditions of the Northern Forest has led him to spearheading an effort to develop quality recreation tourism destinations in the Maine Woods and the region. He also offers his expertise in guiding the Center’s strategic planning and organizational development.

Mike was the lead coordinator of a 325-mile canoe expedition through the Maine Woods to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the publishing of Thoreau’s The Maine Woods. Previously at the Center, Mike served as principal researcher and author of the Northern Forest Wealth Index: Exploring a Deeper Meaning of Wealth. He led development of the Center’s National Endowment for the Humanities-funded mobile museum, Ways of the Woods: People and the Land in the Northern Forest, as well as several publications.

Mike worked as a grassroots organizer for the Northern Forest Alliance and the Maine People’s Alliance. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from James Madison University and a master’s in Resource Management and Administration from Antioch New England Graduate School. He was awarded a Switzer Environmental Fellowship in 1998, and a Switzer Leadership Award in 2000. Mike lives in South Portland, Maine with his wife Carolyn and his kids Tom and Yenenesh. You’ll catch him enjoying the solitude of the forest camping and paddling with his family. He is also secretly known to cruise on his motorcycle from time to time, and to play guitar for the underground band Mancaave. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Laurel Will, Director of Finance

Laurel is the secret to keeping our financial house in order. She produces financial statements, administers staff payroll, and keeps track of where our resources are moving. Laurel has been instrumental in achieving efficiencies in tracking and reporting grant expenditures and improving the security of the organization.

Laurel has dedicated her career to bettering her community. Her experience varies from an associate at an economic research and management counsel firm in Washington, DC. to the database manager for a prominent gubernatorial campaign in New Hampshire. She has served on many different boards, notably as board president at The Children’s Place and Parent Education Center and as an advisory board member to the St. John Regional School. Laurel graduated from the University of Pennsylvania from the Wharton School with a B.S. in Economics. When she isn’t working, Laurel spends time with her husband Dan and her beautiful girls Samantha and Emma. She is the Bishop Brady High School unofficial basketball cheerleader! This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.